Bhutan information

General Information about Bhutan


The following notes are only intended for the Aman Bhutan staff to share with their guests in the future – training material

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a country nestled in the Eastern Himalayas. In Dzongkha, the national language of the Kingdom, the country is known as Druk Yul ‘’Land of the Thunder Dragon”, and its people are known as ‘Drukpas’. The term comes from its state religion, which is the Drukpa Kagyud. Bhutan, the last independent Himalayan Buddhist kingdom very fondly maintains its tradition. It has one foot in the past and one in the future. The high Himalayas in the north separate the kingdom from the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, while the rugged eastern region borders the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, in the South by Assam and West Bengal, and in the West by Sikkim.

Roughly the size of Switzerland (46,500sq. km) and populated by less than 700,000 people, can be called a small and under-populated country when compared to its giant neighbors. Contrary to its size, Bhutan is composed of a large variety of people group, from the yak herders in the North and the orange growers in the south. The little Kingdom has an extraordinary ecological diversity. It is about 300 km West to East, and 150 km from North to South.

A conscious policy of isolation complemented by formidable geographical barriers has enabled the Kingdom to maintain its independence throughout its history. Ancient stone implements and other archaeological findings indicate that there were settlements in Bhutan dating back to 2000 B.C. The chronicled history of the Kingdom however begins with the advent of Buddhism in the 8th century.

Besides the Great Himalayan range, which runs east to west, the entire country is mountainous, and ranges in elevation from 100m to the 754m Gangkhar Puensum peak on the Tibetan border. Between each valley, passes are as high as 4000m, which has led to difficult communications between the different valleys. From South to North, Bhutan is roughly divided into three zones.


The Southern Foothills

A plain only a few kilometers wide forms the border with India (West Bengal and Assam). The plain rises swiftly to 2000m and this zone is covered with dense tropical jungles. The climate is hot, getting cooler only from November to February. The monsoon is very heavy from mid-June to the end of September. As it lies in the border area with neighboring India, business opportunity abounds. Favorable climate for growing rice, oranges and cardamom on large scale has contributed to the economic growth of the region. They are excellent agriculturist.

Majority of the Southern Bhutanese are called Lhotsampas ‘people from the southern border’. They are of Nepalese origin, and include Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, Rais, Lepchas, and Limbus, who are Tibeto-Burmese people. Bahuns and Chetris are Indo–Nepalese. All of them originally spoke different language, but now they at large speak Nepali. Majority of them are Hindu, but Sherpas, Lepchas and Tamangs are Buddhist.

The first processed fruit and alcohol factories are established in the region. In the 1980s the south experienced an economic boom with the construction of several factories (cement, calcium carbide, ferro-alloys etc.), which were made possible by the cheap electricity produced by Chukha Hydroelectricity Plant.

The Inner Himalayas

This zone is the historical and cultural heartland of the country. It is situated between 2000m-3500m with some valleys lying lower. The climate is alpine with monsoon, but in the lower valleys it is semi-tropical. The night temperatures in the winter fall below zero degree. From June to September, in the monsoon the valleys become lush and green. Spring witnesses the bloom of thousands of rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and others. This zone is divided into three distinctive regions, each of them having its own characteristics.

Western Bhutan

This region comprises of five valleys; Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang. Traditionally the inhabitants of these regions are called Ngalops, “The First Risen”. They speak Dzongkha, “language of the fortress”, which is now the national language. Haa is the highest valley (3000m and above). Rice cannot grow there, but in winter wheat, barley and buckwheat, potatoes are cultivated here. Yaks and cattle contribute to the economy. Paro and Thimphu situated between 2200m and 2600m are devoted to growing rice and have apple, plum and peach orchards. Thimphu became the capital in 1962 and its population has tripled in last 20 years reaching over 50,000 people. Settlements are slowing invading the rural landscape. Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang lie at about 1300m. Rice and vegetables are cultivated here. Punakha, the old capital, is still the winter capital of the state clergy, who come from Thimphu in search for winter climes.

Central Bhutan

Central Bhutan comprises of three districts of Trongsa, Bumthang and Zhemgang. Pele la at 3300m divides Western from the Central Bhutan. The people of these regions speak different dialects. People of Trongsa grow rice. Altitude of Bumthang at 2600m and higher is unsuitable to grow rice. Buckwheat, barley, wheat and potatoes are the main crops. Rearing of yaks and cattle are also important part of their income. People of Zhemgang district grow rice, wheat, corn and millet.

Eastern Bhutan

This region is made up of the districts of Lhuntse, Mongar, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang, and Pemagatsel. Generally, these regions have lower altitude than the rest of the central zone. The climate is warmer and the monsoon heavier. The most important crops are rice and corn. Millet is grown to produce alcohol. Cattle are plentiful. Yak rearing is confined to the higher valleys of Merak and Sakten at more than 3000m. These valleys have very distinct culture and way of life. People of east generally called Sharchops, “people of the east”. They speak Sharchopkha, but dialects vary from region to region. The women are known for their cotton and Bhutanese raw silk weaving which supplements the family income.

The Northern Belt

From West to East, this region is bordered to the north by the Great Himalayan range of 6800m to 7400m and forms the border with Tibet. The northern belt starts around 3400m and in summer inhabited until 5000m by the yak herders. The climate is difficult with cold snowy winter and short rainy summers. It is a conservation area of rare flowers and plants like the Blue Poppy, edelweiss and gentian. It is also home to the Snow Leopard, Takin, Blue Sheep, rare butterflies and Musk Deer. Large part of this region is now protected as National Park.

The regions of Lingshi, Laya, and Lunana, which make up the northern belt, are sparsely populated. The people are semi-nomadic herders and speak Dzongkha. Yaks and its crossbreeds are indispensable animals to this region. They trade yak products for rice, salt and tools of the lower valleys. Yak gives them meat, butter, cheese, and yogurt. Its hair is used to make clothes, bags, tents and ropes.

Monarchy in Bhutan

King Ugyen Wangchuck (Monarch of Destiny) 1907 – 1926

 Born in 1862 at the Wangdue Choeling palace.
 His first involvement in military action came in 1877, when he accompanied his father to suppress the rebellion in Paro.
 He was made Paro Penlop in 1879.
 In 1885, after killing Trongsa Penlop Singye Namgyal to avenge the murder of his uncle, Ugyen Wangchuck declared himself as the Trongsa Penlop.
 On December 17, 1907 with the signing and sealing of the Oath of Allegiance in a grand ceremony in Punakha dzong, His Majesty King Ugyen Wangchuck was installed as the first Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan.
 Treaty of Punakha, which was the new version of treaty of Sinchula, was signed in 1910 at Punakha between King Ugyen Wangchuck and the new British political officer in Sikkim, Sir Charles Bell.
 In 1911, His Majesty the King Ugyen Wangchuck made a visit to India.
 He introduced modern education as the first step towards development and started sending Bhutanese children to schools in Kalimpong.
 In 1914, he built first modern school at Haa and 46 Bhutanese students had been enrolled.
 In 1915, second school was opened in Bumthang for crown prince Jigme Wangchuck and some of his attendants.
 By 1921, twelve students who had studied in India returned to form a small core of educated professionals in the Bhutanese civil service.
 He also introduced first step towards improving internal communications and reduction of land taxes.
 He also made conscious efforts to encourage trade and commerce with India.
 He was presented with the insignia of the Knight Commander of the Indian Empire (K.C.I.E.) by the British and this gave him the title ‘Sir’.